I don't spend much time over on BBC3 anymore. Ever since an ex of mine went through a Family Guy 'phase' (and by phase I mean we watched four episodes a day for an entire summer) I haven't really found much use in visiting the channel.

It's often unfortunate that my blog falls on a Tuesday, as it means if something I really want to talk about occurs on a Wednesday, then I always seem rather late to the party.

This week I'm not letting that discourage me, as the programme 'Jamie: Drag Queen at 16' was so bloody lovely I've just got to talk about it. If you haven't seen it, I suggest you have a little trip over to iPlayer before it's too late, or maybe hang around some immoral corner of the Internet where they stream recent TV shows (insert anti-piracy disclaimer here etc).

Jamie: Drag Queen at 16 told the story of (you guessed it) 16 year old Jamie, who wanted to be a drag queen. More than that, he wanted to attend his school prom in drag.

What followed was a moving, humorous and heart warming hour of Jamie telling his friends, learning make up tips from Pertrilude and other drag queens, putting on a show in a big gay club for his friends and family, being shunned by his father and ending with a big dramatic 'Will she go to the ball?' finale.

There were four real 'highlights' for me, which made this documentary really stand out for me:

a) His auntie

By auntie I mean ‘that weird Northern thing where you call your mum’s BFF your auntie’. Jamie’s auntie was the real star of the show. When told that parents had complained about Jamie wanting to go to the prom in drag, she replied with “Oh that really boils my piss, they can fuck off” AMAZING. We need more crazy ‘aunties’ like her. Especially when she tries to think of a drag queen name and comes up with something ridiculous like Charlotte Shallotte.  

b) His skill

When I first started watching the programme I half expected some shy, retiring trans girl, whom BBC3 named a ‘drag queen’ for a more interesting and appealing programme title. What I actually saw was a guy who’d put loads of effort into his look and act. I actually laughed out loud at one of his routines, which I can’t say for some of the professional acts I’ve seen in my time!

c) His dad

The programme was peppered with sad moments relating to Jamie’s relationship with his dad. You’ll have to watch to see what I mean, but it was truly upsetting to see whilst Jamie was growing in confidence and enjoying acceptance by his friends and family, his dad still refused to accept him. I won’t repeat the words I read on Twitter but you can probably finish the sentence “His dad is a…”

d) The prom

STOP READING NOW UNLESS YOU WANT THE PROGRAMME SPOILING. The programme’s finale, the ‘will she go to the ball?’ moment was proper, moving telly. The moment were all Jamie’s school friends refused to go into the prom hall without him / her was a like a surreal post modern Spartacus which had me, and almost everyone I’ve spoken to about it, in floods of tears. It just goes to show that as much as the Daily Mailthinks kids need ‘protecting’ from ‘this type of thing’, actually, most of them think it’s pretty cool.

I've already written about how much I love the BBC, and once again they don't fail me. Brilliant. Keep up the good work.

 martin.carter@apnuk.com

PS - because, for some strange reason, my manager Laura BEGGED me to include something about the fabulous cake she brought to work today, I have to put something here. It was lovely. She is the queen of cakes. (Well, her mother is). Happy now?